Level device



Nov. 4, 1930.

c. lA. voLz LEVEL DEVI CE Filed May l, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CL4, ZZ

Patented Nov. 4, 1930 Y UNITED STATESv CHARLES ANDREW VOLZ, OF BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN LEVEL Application filed May 1,

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a level, and one object of the invention is to provide a novelI means whereby the level vial may be illuminated at the will of an operator. Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for mounting the level vial for adjustment.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of the sort to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invent-ion resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows in side elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a top plan on an enlarged scale,

.be shifted circumferentially of the notch 7,

the cover plate having been removed, and

parts being broken away;

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of l Figure 5; and Y Figure 7 is a perspective View showing the vial.

The level forming the subject matter of this applicationcomprises a stock 1 having a longitudinal compartment 2. The compartment 2 has transverseV enlargements 30, which are shown in Figure 4. The compartment 2 extends but part way through the` stock 1, from edge to edge, as Figures 5 and 3 will show. Inv one edge of the stock 1 there is a recess 3, and in the opposite edge of the stock there is a hole 4 which communicates with the recess 2. There is an opening 5 that extends entirely through the stock 1 from' side to side, the opening 5 communi- DEVICE 1929. serial No. 359,660.

cating with the compartment 2. The opening 5 is flared at its ends, as shown at 6. In one edge of the stock 1 there is `a notch 7 which, as disclosed in Figure 6, is approxi j mately semi-circular in shape. The notch 7 is flared at its ends, as shown at 8. The notch 7 communicates with the compartment 2.

A vial holder is provided, and is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The vial holder includes a plate-like body 9 which is cut transversely, as indicated at 10, to form spaced arms 11, and a support 15 between the arms. The arms project in one direction, and the support 15 projects in an opposite direction. The ends of the arms 11 are turned on themselves to form tubular sockets 12 in which the vial 144 is held. The support 15 is curved so as to conform to the curvature of the notch 7, the body 9 of the vial holder extending downwardly into the compartment 2, along one wall of the compartment, as shown clearly in Figure 5 of the drawings. The support 15 has openings 16 through which extend headed securing elements 17 such as screws (Figure 6), the securing elements 17 entering the stock 1, the openings 16 in the support 15 being slightly larger in diameter than the screws 17, so that, when the screws are loosened, the support 15 may thereby to adjust the vial 14.

The numeral 18 marks, generally, a leveling device like the one hereinbefore described, the leveling device' 18 'cooperating with the opening 5, whereas the leveling device 9-14 cooperates with the notch 7.

A plate 19 is held in the recess 3 by se curing members 20 and constitutes a closure for the compartment 2. The plate 19 has an opening 21 through which the level vial 14 `can be seen. The vial 14 is used for leveling, whereas the device shown at 18 is `used for plumbing, according to a custom well understood by mechanics. The numeral 22 marks a switch tongue which extends along the under side of the plate 19, one side of the tongue 22 vbeing secured at 23 to the plate. The tongue 22 hasan arm 24 arranged at right angles to the tongue, the arm 24 terminating in a linger which outstands from the arm 24.

in parallel relation to the tongue 22. The finger 25 carries asoclret261n which may be mounted an electric lamp 27, the butt contact of the lamp being shown at 28. The switch tongue 22 is made of metal as is the switch member 29, in the form of a strip, extended underthe base of the compartment 2 in Contact with the socket l. The switch member 29 has U-shaped button 31 which proljects into the opening il. rIhe switch member 29 has some resiliency. The button 3l is prolonged to form an arm 32 at right angles to the switch member 29 and parallel to the arm 24, the arm 32 terminating in a linger 33 adapted to cooperate with the butt Contact of the lamp 27. Cells of battery are interposed between the switch tongue 22 and the switch member 29.

It will be obvious that an operator may apply pressure by the thumb or finger to the button 8l, pushing the button 31 inwardly, the switch member 29 springing' until the linger 33 comes into contact with the part 28, the lamp 27 being lighted so as to illuminate either the vial 14 or the device 1S, when the instrument is used in a dark place.

The general construction is such that either the plumbing vial or the level vial may be illuminated, and the structure shown in Figure 7 alfords a convenient means whereby the vials may be adjusted.

Having thus described the invention7 what is claimed is l. In a device of the class described, a stock having a compartment, the stock being provided in one edge with a hole communicating with the compartment, switch members in the form of strips disposed in approximately parallel relation in the compartment, the strips having arms that extend inwardly toward each other, an electric lamp carried by the arm of one strip, the otherV strip being resilient and having a button to which the hole 'gives access, whereby said other strip may be flexed inwardly to bring the arm thereof into circuit-closing relation to the lamp, and to light the lamp, abattery electrically engaged between the strips, and a leveling device carried by the stock and located close enough to the lamp to be lighted thereby.

2. Au device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim l, and further characterized by the fact that the said other strip is detachablv and removably mounted in the compartment, being held-therein by the pressure of the battery and by the engagement of the button in the hole, and means for holding the battery against movement with respect to said other strip.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own,` I have hereto afliXed my signature.

CHARLES ANDREW VOLZ. 

